By Gwen O’Toole

 

Melbourne will boast its newest hotel in less than two weeks says the Hilton Melbourne South Wharf general manager Michael Bourne, confirming the new Hilton hotel will open its doors for business on April 16, 2009.

The highly anticipated new hotel will welcome over 200 new employees to work; up-scale dining destination Nuevo37 will also open to the public and the first guests will check-in to the hotel from 2:00pm.

 

The Hilton Melbourne South Wharf ready to open April 16, 2009. 

Located in the city’s evolving South Wharf district directly alongside the new Melbourne Convention Centre, the hotel is the first major development to officially open in the $1.4 billion precinct, continuing Melbourne’s growth as a waterfront city.

Nuevo37 restaurant and Sotano wine and tapas bar will also open on April 16. Michelin star chef Ramon Freixa (from Barcelona) will showcase his new menu at the VIP opening event that evening. The restaurant will take reservations for lunch and dinner from April 17 onwards.

Dr Ron Georgiou, one of only 268 Masters of Wine worldwide, has personally selected and tasted the 5000 strong wine list. Highlights include a 2007 Chacra Cincuenta Cinco Pinot Noir from Patagonia. To ensure its arrival for the hotel’s opening, the bottles will take a slightly less conventional route – hand carried via a designated pilot from South America.

The menu also includes a strong Victorian and Australian wine and cheese offering, which includes a selection from up-and-coming wine maker from Head Wines and Karimba soft brie from Victoria.

All 396 rooms will be available from April 16. To be one of the first to experience the new Hilton Melbourne South Wharf, click here.